Mobile terminal and video display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal has a communication processing unit that transmits, to a video display apparatus for displaying a broadcasted video content, a request for setting a viewing schedule of the video content. A storage unit stores a starting time of the video content for which the setting of the viewing schedule has been requested; and an information provision unit provides information to a user of the mobile terminal. A control unit determines whether the video display apparatus is existent around the mobile terminal. At a first predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit notifies the user of the first predetermined time. If the video display apparatus is not existent around the mobile terminal at a second predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit then notifies the user that it is the second predetermined time before the starting time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a terminal device and a video displaydevice.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-348560 (PatentLiterature 1) is known as background art in this technical field. Thispublication describes that a problem to be solved is “to prevent aviewer from losing an opportunity of viewing a program that the viewerwants to view in real time”.

The solution of this problem is described as “to include a step ofreceiving viewing-requested program information from a broadcastingterminal device of a viewer and registering the viewing-requestedprogram information for every viewer, a step of acquiring a broadcastingstart time of a specific program shown by the viewing-requested programinformation based on program guide information related to broadcastingschedules of individual programs, a step of transmittingbroadcasting-start notification mail to a mobile information terminal ofa viewer who requested viewing of the specific program at apredetermined time that is before the acquired broadcasting start time,and a step of sending a stream forming the program at the broadcastingstart time based on the program guide information.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2003-348560

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

According to Patent Literature 1 described above, the viewer who hasmade the viewing reservation can view the program for which the viewingreservation has been made in real time. However, in a case where theuser is in an environment where the user cannot receive mail, the usermay not receive the broadcasting-start notification mail.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide aterminal device and a video display device that are excellent inusability.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above problem, configurations recited in theclaims are employed, for example.

The present application includes a plurality of solutions for theaforementioned problem. According to an example, a mobile terminal isprovided that includes a communication processing unit configured totransmit a video display device displaying a broadcast video content arequest of setting a viewing reservation of the video content, a memoryconfigured to store a start time of the video content for which thesetting of the viewing reservation has been requested, an informationproviding unit configured to provide information to a user of the mobileterminal, and a control unit, wherein the control unit determineswhether or not the video display device is existent around the mobileterminal, and controls the information providing unit to notify the userthat it is a first predetermined time before the start time at the firstpredetermined time before the start time, and to notify the user that itis a second predetermined time before the start time in a case where thevideo display device is not existent around the mobile terminal, at thesecond predetermined time before the start time.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminaldevice and a video display device that are excellent in usability.

A problem, a configuration, and an effect other than the above will beapparent in the following description of embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a diagram showing a configuration of a videodisplay system.

FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram showing a configuration of aterminal device.

FIG. 3 is an example of a block diagram showing a configuration of avideo display device.

FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing processing by the terminaldevice.

FIG. 5A shows a display example of a screen of the terminal device.

FIG. 5B shows a display example of the screen of the terminal device.

FIG. 5C shows a display example of the screen of the terminal device.

FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing processing by the videodisplay device.

FIG. 7 is an example of a flowchart showing a process of executing aviewing reservation by the terminal device.

FIG. 8A shows an example of a scheduler of the terminal device.

FIG. 8B shows an example of the scheduler of the terminal device.

FIG. 8C shows an example of viewing reservation data of the videodisplay device.

FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing a process of executing theviewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 10A shows a display example of the screen of the terminal device.

FIG. 10B shows a display example of the screen of the terminal device.

FIG. 11 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the terminal device.

FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart showing a process of notificationof a scheduled event by the terminal device.

FIG. 13 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of thenotification of the scheduled event by the terminal device.

FIG. 14 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of thenotification of the scheduled event by the terminal device.

FIG. 15 is an example of the flowchart showing the processing by theterminal device.

FIG. 16 is an example of the flowchart showing the processing by thevideo display device.

FIG. 17 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the viewing reservation data in the videodisplay device.

FIG. 19 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executinga viewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 20 is an example of the flowchart showing the processing by theterminal device.

FIG. 21 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 22 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 23 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 24 is an example of the block diagram showing the configuration ofthe video display device.

FIG. 25 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the video display device.

FIG. 26 shows an example of the viewing reservation data in the videodisplay device.

FIG. 27 is an example of the flowchart showing the process of executingthe viewing reservation by the video display device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments are described below with reference to drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a video display systemaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention. The videodisplay system of the present embodiment includes a plurality ofterminal devices 1 and a video display device 3.

The terminal device 1 has a function of communication with a telephonecommunication network, and can make/receive a call to/from anotherterminal device or the like and can transmit/receive mail and varioustypes of information to/from the other terminal device or the like. Theterminal device 1 also has a wireless communication function and cantransmit/receive various types of information to/from the Internet.Further, the terminal device 1 has a function of performing control forthe video display device 3 arranged at a remote place (hereinafter,referred to as “remote control”), so that a user can operate a channel,a volume, and the like of the video display device 3 with the terminaldevice 1. In addition, the terminal device 1 has a television viewingfunction that displays a television video content and a function ofmaking a viewing reservation based on a television program guide, andalso has a schedule management function that manages the schedule of theuser, for example. Note that the terminal devices 1 may be referred toas terminal devices 1 a, 1 b, . . . 1 f it is necessary to distinguishthe terminal devices 1 from each other.

A remote controller 2 is an exclusive control device for the videodisplay device 3 and can perform remote control for the video displaydevice 3 by a wireless communication method using infrared rays, forexample.

The video display device 3 is a device that receives and displays avideo content. For example, the video display device 3 can receive atelevision signal from a broadcast station 5 wirelessly or by wire andcan display a video content based on the television signal. Also, thevideo display device 3 can display a video content received from anetwork 7 via a wireless router 6, e.g., an Internet content at a URL(Uniform Resource Locator) specified by the user or the like. In thismanner, the video display device 3 can receive and display the videocontent distributed from a distribution source specified by the user, orthe like, e.g., a specific broadcast station 5 or a specific URL. Thevideo display device 3 is not limited to one. A plurality of videodisplay devices 3 may be provided.

A base station 4 performs wireless communication with the terminaldevice 1 to relay a call or communication with the telephonecommunication network.

The broadcast station 5 is equipment outputting the television signal.

The wireless router 6 has a function of a wireless LAN (Local AreaNetwork) such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and can connect to thenetwork 7 via a communication line. The terminal device 1 and the videodisplay device 3 can connect to the wireless router 6, thereby beingable to acquire a video content and various types of information fromthe Internet and display them. Although an example is described in whichthe wireless router 6 and the video display device 3 are connectedwirelessly, they may be connected by wire.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device1 of FIG. 1.

Respective units of the terminal device 1 are controlled by a controlunit 200. The control unit 200 is formed by a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit), an arbitrary control circuit, or a dedicated circuit such as anASIC (Appreciation Specific IC), for example.

A signal receiver 201 is formed by an antenna and a signal processingcircuit including a tuner and a decoder circuit, for example. The signalreceiver 201 receives a television signal output from the broadcaststation 5, decodes a video, an audio, and data therefrom, and transmitsthem to a display 202 and an audio output unit 203.

The display 202 is a liquid crystal panel, for example, and displaysvarious types of information. The audio output unit 203 is formed by anamplifier and a speaker, for example, and outputs various types ofaudios. An operation unit 204 is a touch pad, for example, and receivesan operation by a user and transmits an instruction based on thatoperation to the control unit 200. An integrated component of the liquidcrystal panel and the touch pad that are combined is generally referredto as a touch panel, and an example using the touch panel is describedin the present embodiment. However, the terminal device may include theinput unit and the display separately.

A memory 205 is formed by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random AccessMemory), a flash ROM, or the like, and stores therein a program andvarious types of setting values for controlling the terminal device 1,for example.

A LAN communication unit 206 uses Wi-Fi, for example, to transmitvarious types of commands to the video display device 3 via the wirelessrouter 6 or the like. The LAN communication unit 206 also receivesstatus information or the like from the video display device 3. Thecommands are information for the remote control for the video displaydevice 3 performed by the terminal device 1. For example, the varioustypes of commands include a power command that is an instruction ofswitching between power on and off, a setting command that is aninstruction of a specific channel or volume, and a setting command ofmaking a viewing reservation. Further, the LAN communication unit 206may use infrared rays, Wi-Fi Direct, or Bluetooth (registeredtrademark), for example, to transmit/receive the command or the statusinformation directly to/from the video display device 3 without thewireless router 6 or the like.

A video input unit 207 is a camera, and converts light input from a lensinto an electric signal, thereby inputting image data of surroundings oran object. An audio input unit 208 is a microphone, and converts auser's voice or the like into audio data and inputs it. A short-rangewireless communication unit 209 performs short-range wirelesscommunication by Bluetooth, for example, to input/output various typesof data. A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 210 is a receiver ofa Global Positioning System that can receive electric waves from asatellite to detect the position of the terminal device 1 on the Earth.

A telephone network communication unit 211 performs wirelesscommunication with the base station 4 to communicate with the telephonecommunication network.

Note that each of the LAN communication unit 206, the short-rangewireless communication unit 209, and the telephone communication unit211 includes a coding circuit, a decoding circuit, an antenna, and thelike, and the GPS receiver 210 includes a decoding circuit, an antenna,and the like.

When a command is transmitted, identification information unique to theterminal device 1 is also transmitted. An ID or a telephone numberindividually assigned to the terminal device 1 can be applied as theidentification information. Alternatively, a user ID given to every userby a manufacturer of the terminal device 1 or the like can be applied,because it is generally supposed that one user owns one terminal device1. In this case, the user ID is stored in the terminal device 1 inadvance based on an operation by the user, for example. Alternatively,the terminal device 1 can be identified by authentication of Wi-Fi, forexample.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video displaydevice 3 of FIG. 1.

Respective units of the video display device 3 are controlled by acontrol unit 300. The control unit 300 is formed by a CPU, an arbitrarycontrol circuit, or a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC, for example.

A signal receiver 301 is formed by an antenna and a signal processingcircuit including a tuner and a decoder circuit, for example. The signalreceiver 301 receives a television signal output from the broadcaststation 5, decodes a video, an audio, and data therefrom, and transmitsthem to a display 302 and an audio output unit 303. The signal receiver301 has a plurality of the aforementioned signal processing circuits andtherefore can receive a plurality of channels at once.

The display 302 is formed by a liquid crystal panel, a plasma panel, oran organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) panel, for example, and displaysvarious types of video contents and various types of information.

The audio output unit 303 is formed by an amplifier and a speaker, forexample, and outputs various types of audios.

An infrared communication unit 304 uses infrared rays, for example, toreceive a control command transmitted from the exclusive remotecontroller 2, a terminal device having an infrared communicationfunction, or the like, and to transmit the instruction to the controlunit 300. In a case where the communication with the remote controller 2or the like is performed by another method than the one using theinfrared rays, the name of the infrared communication unit 304 ischanged appropriately, but the function and the operation of the unit304 are the same.

A memory 305 is formed by a ROM, a RAM, a flash ROM, or the like, andstores therein a program and various types of settings for controllingthe video display device 3, video contents, and identificationinformation of the terminal device 1 that has transmitted the varioustypes of commands, for example. Also, the memory 305 stores therein achannel and a time of a program for which a viewing reservation has beenmade, identification information of the terminal device 1 that has madethe viewing reservation, and the like. The memory 305 may include astorage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a BD (Blu-ray(registered trademark) Disc) drive.

A LAN communication unit 306 can connect to the wireless router 6 bywire or wirelessly, thereby being able to receive a video content andthe like from the Internet or the like. Also, the LAN communication unit306 uses Wi-Fi, for example, to receive various types of commands fromthe terminal device 1 via the wireless router 6 or the like. Further,the LAN communication unit 306 transmits status information to theterminal device 1. The LAN communication unit 306 may use infrared rays,Wi-Fi Direct, or Bluetooth, for example, to transmit/receive the commandor the status information directly to/from the terminal device 1 withoutthe wireless router 6 or the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing by the terminal device 1 of thefirst embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart showsprocessing when the terminal device 1 performs the remote control forthe video display device 3.

In Step S401, the terminal device 1 waits for startup of applicationsoftware for performing the remote control for the video display device3 (hereinafter, referred to as a “remote controller application”) basedon an operation by a user.

FIG. 5 show various types of display examples of the touch-panel typedisplay 202 of the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 can performvarious functions by starting various types of application software.FIG. 5A illustrates a menu screen in which various types of applicationsoftware are arranged on the terminal device 1. When the user presses a“remote controller” button displayed in the touch panel, theaforementioned remote controller application is started up.Alternatively, when the user presses a “schedule” button, a schedulemanagement application (hereinafter, referred to as a “scheduler”) isstarted up. When the user presses a “TV” button, a television viewerapplication is started up.

In Step S402, the terminal device 1 selects an object of the remotecontrol based on a user's operation. FIG. 5B shows a display example ofa selection screen in a case where there are two video display devices 3that can be selected as the object of the remote control. It is assumedhere that “TV A” is selected.

When the video display device 3 has been selected as the object of theremote control, the terminal device 1 displays various instructions thatcan be transmitted to the video display device 3. FIG. 5C shows adisplay example of an operation screen of the video display device 3 atthat time.

Then, in Step S403, the terminal device 1 confirms whether or not theuser has performed an operation for ending the remote controllerapplication. In a case where the operation for ending the remotecontroller application, e.g., pressing of an “end” button displayed onthe terminal device 1 has been performed, the terminal device 1 returnsto the step of displaying the menu screen.

In Step S404, the terminal device 1 confirms whether or not a powerbutton has been pressed by the user. In a case where the “power” buttondisplayed on the terminal device 1 has been pressed, the terminal device1 transmits the power command and the identification information to thevideo display device 3 (Step S405) and repeats the steps from Step S403.

In a case where the “power” button displayed on the terminal device 1has not been pressed, the terminal device 1 confirms whether or not achannel setting button of the remote control function has been pressedby the user in Step S406. In a case where the channel setting button,such as a “1” button or a “2” button, displayed on the terminal device 1has been pressed, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S407, transmits asetting command of the corresponding channel and the identificationinformation to the video display device 3, and repeats the steps fromStep S403.

In a case where the channel setting button displayed on the terminaldevice 1 has not been pressed, the terminal device 1 confirms in StepS408 whether or not setting of a viewing reservation has beeninstructed. In a case where the setting of the viewing reservation hasbeen instructed, the terminal device 1 sets the viewing reservation tothe video display device 3 as instructed, transmits the identificationinformation to the video display device 3 (Step S409), registers thereservation content of the viewing reservation at a date and time of theschedule (Step S412), and repeats the steps from Step S403. The settingof the viewing reservation is achieved by pressing a “program guide”button displayed on the terminal device 1, selecting a desired programfrom the displayed program guide, and setting the viewing reservation,for example.

In a case where the setting of the viewing reservation has not beeninstructed, the terminal device 1 confirms in Step S410 whether or notanother button has been pressed. The other button is a volume settingbutton, for example.

In a case where the user has made an instruction of changing the settingof the video display device 3, the terminal device 1 transmits a settingcommand corresponding to the instruction to the video display device 3(Step S411), and repeats the steps from Step S403.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing by the video display device ofthe first embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart showsprocessing when the video display device 3 is subjected to the remotecontrol by the terminal device 1.

In Step S601, the video display device 3 waits for receiving of thepower command. Upon receiving the power command, the video displaydevice 3 goes to Step S602 and is turned on.

Then, in Step S604, the video display device 3 confirms whether or notthe video display device 3 has received the power command again. In acase where the video display device 3 has received the power command,the video display device 3 goes to Step S605, is turned off to end theprocessing, and returns again to a state where the video display device3 waits for the power command (Step S601).

Although the present embodiment shows toggle control, as an example, inwhich power-on and power-off of the video display device 3 are repeatedevery time the video display device 3 receives the power command, apower-on command and a power-off command can be separated from eachother.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the powercommand in Step S604, the video display device 3 goes to Step S606 andconfirms whether or not the video display device 3 has received thechannel setting command. In a case where the video display device 3 hasreceived the channel setting command, the video display device 3 goes toStep S607, executes the command as instructed, and repeats the stepsfrom Step S604.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the channelsetting command in Step S606, the video display device 3 goes to StepS609 and confirms whether or not the video display device 3 has receivedthe viewing reservation command. In a case where the video displaydevice 3 has received the viewing reservation command, the video displaydevice 3 makes a viewing reservation by storing information including atime, a channel, and the like for which the viewing is reserved in thememory 305 (Step S610), further stores the identification information ofthe terminal device 1 in the memory 305 (Step S611), and repeats thesteps from Step S604.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the viewingreservation command in Step S609, the video display device 3 goes toStep S612 and confirms whether or not the video display device 3 hasreceived another command. In a case where the video display device 3 hasreceived the other command, the video display device 3 executes thecommand as instructed (Step S613) and repeats the steps from Step S604.The other command is the volume setting command, for example.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the othercommand, the video display device 3 repeats the steps from Step S604.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of executing the viewingreservation by the terminal device of the first embodiment of thepresent invention. This flowchart shows the execution process by theterminal device 1 when the time of the viewing reservation registered inthe scheduler of the terminal device 1 has come.

FIG. 8 show a display example of the scheduler of the terminal device 1and viewing reservation data of the video display device 3. FIG. 8Cshows a display example of viewing reservation data registered in thevideo display device 3 by the terminal devices 1 a and 1 b, FIG. 8Ashows a display example of the scheduler registered in the terminaldevice 1 a at that time, and FIG. 8B shows a display example of thescheduler registered in the terminal device 1 b at that time. Since thescheduler manages the user's schedule, a plan, such as a class and ameeting, can also be registered in addition to the viewing reservation,as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8C shows an example in which viewing reservations with reservationnumbers 1, 2, . . . , 5 have been made by the terminal devices 1 a and 1b. For example, the reservation number 1 shows a viewing reservation hasbeen made by the terminal device 1 a for 2012 Music Festival on theterrestrial digital broadcasting channel 4, the start date and time isNov. 15, 2012, 18:00, and the end date and time is Nov. 15, 2012, 20:00.The reservation number 2 shows that a viewing reservation has been madeby the terminal device 1 b for a weather forecast on the terrestrialdigital broadcasting channel 8, the start date and time is Nov. 15,2012, 18:30, and the end date and time is Nov. 15, 2012, 19:00. Thisviewing reservation data is stored in the memory 305 of the videodisplay device 3.

FIG. 8A illustrates a portion of the scheduler registered in theterminal device 1 a showing that the user has an algebra class on Nov.16, 2012, from 14:00 to 15:00 and a viewing reservation has been madefor BS Sports on BS channel 101 on Nov. 16, 2012, from 19:00 to 20:00,for example. This corresponds to the registration number 4 in FIG. 8C,and this scheduler is stored in the memory 205 of the terminal device 1a.

FIG. 8B is a portion of the scheduler registered in the terminal device1 b. This scheduler is stored in the memory 205 of the terminal device 1b.

In Step S701 of FIG. 7, the terminal device 1 a waits for a start dateand time of a viewing reservation, and goes to Step S702 when the startdate and time has come. It is assumed here that the start date and timeof BS Sports on the aforementioned BS channel 101 has come.

In Step S702, the terminal device 1 a switches the process in accordancewith whether or not the video display device 3 that has made thisviewing reservation is existent nearby.

Whether or not the video display device 3 is existent around theterminal device 1 a can be confirmed based on whether or not theterminal device 1 a is existent in a communication area of the wirelessrouter 6, for example. Further, more accurate confirmation can beperformed by direct communication with the video display device 3 byWi-Fi Direct.

In a case where the video display device 3 is existent around theterminal device 1 a in Step S702, the terminal device 1 a goes to StepS703, and starts up and displays the remote controller application forthe video display device 3. In this state, the video display device 3 isdisplaying BS Sports on the aforementioned BS channel 101.

In a case where the video display device 3 is not existent around theterminal device 1 a in Step S702, the terminal device 1 a goes to StepS705 and displays BS Sports on the aforementioned BS channel 101 forwhich the viewing reservation has been made. In this state, the videodisplay device 3 is not displaying BS Sports on the aforementioned BSchannel 101.

Then, it is confirmed in Step S704 whether or not the end date and timeof the viewing reservation has come. In a case where the end date andtime of the viewing reservation has come, the terminal device 1 a goesto Step S706, and ends the remote controller application for the videodisplay device 3 or a TV viewing application of the terminal device 1,and ends the process. In a case where the end date and time has notcome, the terminal device 1 a goes back to Step S702 and continues theprocess. In this manner, the terminal device 1 a continues to confirmwhether or not the video display device 3 is existent around it untilthe end date and time of the viewing reservation comes.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of executing the viewingreservation by the video display device 3. This flowchart shows theexecution process by the video display device 3 when the time of theviewing reservation set in the terminal device 1 has come.

In Step S901 of FIG. 9, the video display device 3 waits for the startdate and time of the viewing reservation, and goes to Step S902 when thestart date and time has come. It is assumed here that the start date andtime of the reservation number 4 has come. The reservation number 4corresponds to the viewing reservation of BS Sports on theaforementioned BS channel 101.

In Step S902, the video display device 3 switches the process inaccordance with whether or not the terminal device 1 a that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 4 is existent around thevideo display device 3.

Whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existent around the videodisplay device 3 can be confirmed based on whether or not the terminaldevice 1 a, 1 b is existent in the communication area of the wirelessrouter 6, for example. Further, more accurate confirmation can be madeby direct communication with the video display device 3 by Wi-Fi Direct,for example.

In a case where the terminal device 1 a is existent around the videodisplay device 3 in Step S902, the video display device 3 goes to StepS903, and BS Sports on the aforementioned BS channel 101 for which theviewing reservation has been made is displayed on the video displaydevice 3. When the video display device 3 is off, the video displaydevice 3 is turned on. When the video display device 3 is on and isdisplaying another program, the channel is switched to the channel of BSSports.

Then, it is confirmed in Step S904 whether or not the end date and timeof the viewing reservation with the reservation number 4 has come. Whenthe end date and time of the viewing reservation has come, the videodisplay device 3 ends the process. When the end date and time of theviewing reservation has not come, the video display device 3 goes backto Step S902 and continues the process. In this manner, the videodisplay device 3 continues to confirm whether or not the terminal device1 a is existent around it until the end date and time of the viewingreservation comes.

In a case where the terminal device 1 a is not existent around the videodisplay device 3 in Step S902, BS Sports for which the viewingreservation has been made is not displayed on the video display device3.

In a case where the video display device 3 is off when the viewingreservation starts, the video display device 3 is turned off when endingthe process.

In this manner, when the start date and time of the viewing number 4 hascome, for example, the program of the reservation number 4 is displayedon the video display device 3 as in the viewing reservation in a casewhere the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewing reservation isexistent around the video display device 3. In a case where the terminaldevice 1 a that has made the viewing reservation is not existent aroundthe video display device 3, the program is not displayed on the videodisplay device 3, but is displayed on the terminal device 1 a. Theprogram of the reservation number 4 is displayed until the end date andtime of the viewing reservation. However, when the terminal device 1 adisappears in the middle of the program, the video display device 3stops this display, and this program starts to be displayed on theterminal device 1 a, instead. On the other hand, in a case where theterminal device 1 a that has made the viewing reservation is notexistent around the video display device 3 at the start date and time ofthe viewing reservation with the reservation number 4, the program ofthe reservation number 4 is not displayed on the video display device 3,but is displayed on the terminal device 1 a. However, when the terminaldevice 1 a appears in the middle of the display of this program, thedisplay on the terminal device 1 a is stopped and the program isdisplayed on the video display device 3, instead. For example, even ifthe user of the terminal device 1 a cannot arrive at the user's house inwhich the video display device 3 is installed before the start date andtime of the viewing reservation, the user can view the program of theviewing reservation with the terminal device 1 a until the user arrivesat the house, and can view the rest of the program with the videodisplay device 3 after arriving at the house. Also, even if the usermoves away from the user's house when being viewing of the program ofthe viewing reservation with the video display device 3, the user canview the rest with the terminal device 1 a.

The terminal device 1 a may display a notification immediately beforethe start date and time of the viewing reservation in a case where thevideo display device 3 is existent around it. This reminds the user inthe house thereof of the viewing reservation. FIG. 10A shows a displayexample of an operation screen of the video display device 3 at thattime. Further, in a case where the video display device 3 is notexistent nearby, the user can determine whether or not to display theprogram of the viewing reservation on the terminal device 1 a. Thisallows the user to select whether or not the user views the programoutside the house. FIG. 10B shows a display example of the operationscreen of the video display device 3 at that time.

In the present embodiment, an example is described in which the viewingreservation is registered in the scheduler of the terminal device whenthe viewing reservation is made in the video display device. Also, whenreservations of various types of events, that is, operation reservationscan be made in consumer electronics other than the video display device,e.g., an air conditioner and a rice cooker, the viewing reservation mayalso be registered in the scheduler of the terminal device. Then, bydisplaying a notification on the terminal device before a coolingoperation of the air conditioner starts, for example, the user can bereminded of the operation reservation of the air conditioner. Further,it is possible to start an operation of the air conditioner and displaya remote controller application on the terminal device in a case wherethis terminal device is existent around the air conditioner at the timeof the operation reservation of the air conditioner, and is possible tonot start the air conditioner in a case where this terminal device isnot existent around the air conditioner. Furthermore, it is possible toremind the user of a reservation of rice cooking by displaying acompletion indication after completion of the rice cooking by the ricecooker, for example.

In the present embodiment, an example including two terminal devices isdescribed. However, the same operation can be performed also in a caseof three or more terminal devices.

With the aforementioned configuration, when the viewing reservation ismade in the video display device from the terminal device, the viewingreservation is also registered in the scheduler of the terminal devicein the video display device from the terminal device in the firstembodiment of the present invention. It is possible to remind the userof the viewing reservation by displaying a notice on the terminal deviceimmediately before the start of the viewing reservation. In a case wherethis terminal device is existent around the video display device at thetime of the viewing reservation, the program of the viewing reservationis displayed on the video display device and the remote controllerapplication is displayed on the terminal device. In a case where thisterminal device is not existent around the video display device at thetime of the viewing reservation, the program of the viewing reservationis displayed on the terminal device. The user can select whether or notthe program is displayed on the terminal device.

Further, it is possible to switch a display destination even in themiddle of the program of the viewing reservation in accordance withwhether or not the terminal device is existent around the video displaydevice. Thus, it is possible to execute the viewing reservation of thevideo display device only while the user who has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device, and to preventthe video display device from displaying the program irrespective of theabsence of the user who has made the reservation. Furthermore, becausethe viewing reservation is executed by the terminal device while theuser who has made the viewing reservation is not existent around thevideo display device, the user who has made the reservation can view theprogram with the terminal device.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of executing a viewingreservation by a terminal device of the second embodiment of the presentinvention. This flowchart shows the execution process by the terminaldevice 1 when the time of the viewing reservation registered in theterminal device 1 has come.

Steps S1101 to S1106 are the same as Steps S701 to S706 in FIG. 7.

In Step S1101, the terminal device 1 waits for the start date and timeof the viewing reservation, and goes to Step S1102 when the start dateand time has come. It is assumed here that, in FIG. 8B showing thescheduler of the terminal device 1 b, the start date and time of theweather forecast on the terrestrial digital broadcasting channel 8 (Nov.15, 2012, 18:30) has come.

In a case where the video display device 3 is existent around theterminal device 1 b in Step S1102, the terminal device goes to StepS1107, and switches the process in accordance with whether or not thevideo display device 3 is displaying the weather forecast on theaforementioned terrestrial digital broadcasting channel 8, that is,whether or not the video display device 3 is executing the viewingreservation.

In a case where the video display device 3 is executing the viewingreservation or waits for execution of the viewing reservation, theterminal device 1 b goes to Step S1103, and starts up and displays theremote controller application for the video display device 3.

In a case where the video display device 3 is not executing the viewingreservation or does not wait for execution of the viewing reservation,the terminal device 1 b goes to Step S1105, and displays the weatherforecast on the aforementioned terrestrial digital broadcasting channel8 for which the viewing reservation has been made.

In FIG. 8C showing the viewing reservation data of the video displaydevice 3, the weather forecast on the aforementioned terrestrial digitalbroadcasting channel 8 of the reservation number 2 overlaps 2012 MusicFestival on the terrestrial digital broadcasting channel 4 with thereservation number 1 in time. In a case where the terminal device 1 athat has made the viewing reservation with the reservation number 1 isexistent around the video display device 3, the video display device 3is displaying 2012 Music Festival on the terrestrial digitalbroadcasting channel 4 of the reservation number 1. Instead, theterminal device 1 b displays the weather forecast on the aforementionedterrestrial digital broadcasting channel 8. In a case where the terminaldevice 1 a that has made the viewing reservation with the reservationnumber 1 is not existent around the video display device 3, the videodisplay device 3 is displaying the weather forecast on theaforementioned terrestrial digital broadcasting channel 8 of thereservation number 2. The terminal device 1 b starts up an operationapplication for the video display device 3 and displays thereon.

It can be found whether or not the video display device 3 is executingthat viewing reservation, by making the video display device 3 notifythe terminal device 1 of which viewing reservation is being executednow, for example. Further, this can also be found by inputting a videoand an audio output from the video display device 3 from the video inputunit 207 and the audio input unit 208 of the terminal device 1, andcomparing them with a video and an audio of a program received by theterminal device 1.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the firstembodiment can be obtained in the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

In addition, in a case where a viewing reservation in the video displaydevice is not executed because of an overlap of viewing reservations anda program of the viewing reservation is not displayed on the videodisplay device, the program of the viewing reservation is displayed onthe terminal device in place of the video display device. Therefore, theuser who has made the viewing reservation can view the program with theterminal device.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process of notification of a scheduledevent by the terminal device in the third embodiment of the presentinvention. This flowchart shows an alarm notification process before astart time of an event scheduled in the scheduler of the terminal device1 comes. The event may be a viewing reservation or any other events,e.g., a meeting and a dinner.

In Step S1201, the terminal device 1 acquires current positioninformation. The position information is acquired by using a GPS orWi-Fi, for example.

Then, the terminal device 1 switches the process in Step S1202 inaccordance with whether or not the acquired position information of theterminal device 1 is coincident with position information of adestination, that is, a place where the scheduled event is performed. Ina case where the scheduled event is a viewing reservation, thedestination is a place where the video display device 3 is installed.The position information of the video display device 3 is registered inadvance in the terminal device 1. For example, in a case where the videodisplay device 3 is installed in the user's house, position informationof the user's house can be registered.

When the position information of the terminal device 1 and that of theplace of the scheduled event are coincident, that is, the user is in theuser's house in a case where the scheduled event is a viewingreservation, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1203, and confirmswhether or not the start time of the scheduled event has come. When thestart time of the scheduled event has come, the terminal device 1 endsthe process. When the start time of the scheduled event has not come,the terminal device 1 goes back to Step S1201, and continues theprocess.

When the position information of the terminal device 1 and that of theplace of the scheduled event are not coincident in Step S1202, that is,the user is not in the user's house in a case where the scheduled eventis a viewing reservation, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1204,searches a traveling route to the destination from the positioninformation of the current position of the terminal device 1, andcalculates a traveling time. In a case where a plurality of routes arefound, the user may select one, or one may be selected based on ahistory.

Then, the terminal device 1 calculates a time of departure from thecurrent place from the start date and time of the scheduled event and arequired time of traveling in Step S1205, and switches the process inStep S1206 in accordance with whether or not the calculated time ofdeparture has come. When the time of departure has come, the terminaldevice 1 goes to Step S1207, and notifies the user with an alarm or thelike. When the time of departure has not come, the terminal device 1goes back to Step S1201, and continues the process.

In this manner, the terminal device 1 continues to confirm whether ornot the user has arrived at the place where the scheduled event isperformed until the start time of the scheduled event comes, and, in acase where the user has not arrived at the place of the scheduled event,notifies the user of the time of departure that enables the user to bein time for the start time of the scheduled event. In other words, in acase where the scheduled event is a viewing reservation, the destinationis the user's house, for example. In this case, the terminal device 1continues to confirm whether or not the user is in the user's houseuntil the start date and time of the viewing reservation comes, andnotifies the user of a time to start heading for home for enabling theuser to be in time for the start date and time of the viewingreservation, when the user is not in the user's house.

With the above configuration, in a case where the user who has made thereservation in the scheduler has not arrived at the place where thescheduled event is performed, the terminal device searches the travelingroute from the current position, and notifies the user of the time ofdeparture for enabling the user to be in time for the start time of thescheduled event in the third embodiment of the present invention.Therefore, the user who has made the reservation can surely perform thescheduled event. In a case where the scheduled event is a viewingreservation, when the user who has made the viewing reservation is notexistent around the video display device, the terminal device searchesthe route from the current position for the user to head for home, andnotifies the user of the time to start heading for home that enables theuser to be in time for the start time of the viewing reservation.Therefore, the user who has made the viewing reservation can surely viewthe program with the video display device.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of notification of a scheduledevent by the terminal device in the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. This flowchart shows an alarm notification process before astart time of an event scheduled in the scheduler of the terminal device1 comes. The event may be a viewing reservation or any other events,e.g., a meeting and a dinner.

Steps S1301 to S1306 are the same as Steps S1201 to S1206 in FIG. 12.

When the time of departure has come in Step S1306, the terminal device 1goes to Step S1307 and notifies the user with an alarm or the like, andthen goes to Step S1308 and switches the process in accordance withwhether or not the position information of the terminal device 1 haschanged within a predetermined period of time, that is, whether or notthe user has started traveling within the predetermined period of time.In a case where the user has not started traveling within thepredetermined period of time, the terminal device 1 goes back to StepS1307 and notifies again the user with the alarm or the like. In a casewhere the user has started traveling within the predetermined period oftime, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1303 and confirms whether ornot the start time of the scheduled event has come. When the start timeof the scheduled event has come, the terminal device 1 ends the process.When the start time of the scheduled event has not come, the terminaldevice 1 goes back to Step S1301 and continues the process.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the thirdembodiment can be obtained in the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, in a case where the user who has made the reservation in thescheduler has not arrived at the place where the scheduled event isperformed, the terminal device searches the traveling route from thecurrent position and, in a case where the user has not started travelingeven after the notification of the start time for enabling the user tobe in time for the start time of the scheduled event, notifies the useragain. Therefore, the user who has made the reservation can surelyperform the scheduled event. In a case where the scheduled event is aviewing reservation, when the user who has made the viewing reservationis not existent around the video display device, the terminal devicesearches the route from the current position for the user's return home.In a case where the user has not started traveling even after thenotification of the start time for enabling the user to be in time forthe start date and time of the viewing reservation, the terminal devicenotifies the user again. Therefore, the user who has made the viewingreservation can surely view the program of the viewing reservation withthe video display device.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a process of a notification of ascheduled event by the terminal device in the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention. This flowchart shows an alarm notification processbefore a start time of an event scheduled in the scheduler of theterminal device 1 comes. The event may be a viewing reservation or anyother events, e.g., a meeting and a dinner.

In the present embodiment, the alarm notification process is switched inaccordance with the priority of the scheduled event. The priority isregistered in advance for every scheduled event. Alternatively, thepriority may be registered in advance for every genre of events. It isassumed here that there are three levels of priorities including a highlevel, a middle level, and a low level.

In a case where the priority of the scheduled event is high in StepS1401, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1402. At a certain time,e.g., 10:00 am, in the day before the scheduled event, the terminaldevice 1 goes to Step S1403 and notifies the user with an alarm or thelike.

Then, at a certain time, e.g., 10:00 am, in the day of the scheduledevent in Step S1404, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1405 andnotifies the user with the alarm or the like.

Then, at a certain time, e.g., 5 minutes before the start time of thescheduled event in Step S1406, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1407and notifies the user with the alarm or the like.

When the priority of the scheduled event is not high in Step S1401, theterminal device 1 goes to Step S1408. When the priority of the scheduledevent is middle, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1404. When thepriority of the scheduled event is not middle, that is, is low, theterminal device 1 goes to Step S1406.

In this manner, the terminal device 1 notifies the user with the alarmor the like three times, i.e., in the day before the scheduled event, inthe day of the scheduled event, and at a time slightly before the startof the scheduled event in a case where the priority of the scheduledevent is high. In a case where the priority of the scheduled event ismiddle, the terminal device 1 notifies the user with the alarm or thelike twice, i.e., in the day of the scheduled event and at the timeslightly before the start of the scheduled event. In a case where thepriority of the scheduled event is low, the terminal device 1 notifiesthe user with the alarm or the like once, i.e., at the time slightlybefore the start of the viewing reservation.

Although an example of using three levels of priority is described, thenumber of levels of priority may be two or four, or any number. Further,although an example is described in which the number of times of thenotification to the user with the alarm or the like is 3, 2, and 1depending on the priorities, the number of times of the notification maybe 4, 3, and 1 or 5, 2, and 1, or may be any number.

In the fifth embodiment of the present application, the terminal deviceswitches the alarm notification process in accordance with the priorityof the scheduled event with the above configuration. Therefore, the usercan surely perform various types of events as in the reservations in thescheduler. In a case where the scheduled event is a viewing reservation,the terminal device switches the alarm notification process inaccordance with the priority of the viewing reservation. Therefore, theuser who has made the viewing reservation can surely view the programwith the video display device.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing by the terminal device 1 inthe sixth embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart showsprocessing when the terminal device 1 performs the remote control forthe video display device 3.

In Step S1501, the terminal device 1 waits for startup of applicationsoftware for performing the remote control for the video display device3 (hereinafter, referred to as an “operation application”) based on anoperation by the user.

FIG. 5 show various display examples of the touch-panel type display 202of the terminal device 1. The terminal device 1 can perform variousfunctions by starting various types of application software. FIG. 5Aillustrates a menu screen in which various types of application softwareare arranged on the terminal device 1. When the user presses the “remotecontroller” button displayed in the touch panel, the aforementionedremote controller application is started up.

In Step S1502, the terminal device 1 selects the video display device 3as an object of the remote control based on an operation by the user.FIG. 5B shows a display example of a selection screen in a case wherethere are two video display devices 3 that can be selected as the objectof the remote control. It is assumed here that “TV A” is selected.

When the video display device 3 as the object of the remote control isselected, the terminal device 1 displays various instructions that canbe transmitted to the video display device 3. FIG. 5C shows a displayexample of an operation screen of the video display device 3 at thattime.

Then, in Step S1503, the terminal device 1 confirms whether or not theuser has performed an operation for ending the operation application.When the operation for ending the operation application, e.g., pressingof the “end” button displayed on the terminal device 1 has beenperformed, the terminal device 1 returns to the step of displaying themenu screen.

In Step S1504, the terminal device 1 confirms whether or not the powerbutton has been pressed by the user. In a case where the “power” buttondisplayed on the terminal device 1 has been pressed, the terminal device1 transmits the power command and the identification information to thevideo display device 3 (Step S1505), and repeats the steps from StepS1503.

In a case where the “power” button displayed on the terminal device 1has not been pressed, the terminal device 1 confirms in Step S1506whether or not the channel setting button of the remote control functionhas been pressed by the user. In a case where the channel settingbutton, such as a “1” button or a “2” button, displayed on the terminaldevice 1 has been pressed, the terminal device 1 goes to Step S1507,transmits the setting command of the corresponding channel and theidentification information to the video display device 3, and repeatsthe steps from Step S1503.

In a case where the channel setting button displayed on the terminaldevice 1 has not been pressed, the terminal device 1 confirms in StepS1508 whether or not setting of a viewing reservation has beeninstructed. In a case where the setting of the viewing reservation hasbeen instructed, the terminal device 1 sets the viewing reservation tothe video display device 3 as instructed, transmits the identificationinformation to the video display device 3 (Step S1509), and repeats thesteps from Step S1503.

In a case where the setting of the viewing reservation has not beeninstructed, the terminal device 1 confirms in Step S1510 whether or notanother button has been pressed. The other button is a volume settingbutton, for example.

In a case where the user has made an instruction of changing the settingof the video display device 3, the terminal device 1 transmits a settingcommand corresponding to the instruction to the video display device 3(Step S1511), and repeats the steps from Step S1503.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing by the video display device inthe sixth embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart showsprocessing when the video display device 3 is subjected to the remotecontrol by the terminal device 1.

In Step S1601, the video display device 3 waits for receipt of the powercommand. Upon receiving the power command, the video display device 3goes to Step S1602 and is turned on. In Step S1603, the video displaydevice 3 stores the identification information at the time of receipt ofthe power command in the memory 305. It is assumed here that the videodisplay device 3 has received the identification information of theterminal device 1 a.

Then, in Step S1604, the video display device 3 confirms whether or notthe video display device 3 has received the power command again. Uponreceiving the power command, the video display device 3 goes to StepS1605, is turned off, and ends the process.

The present embodiment shows toggle control in which power-on andpower-off of the video display device 3 are repeated every time thevideo display device 3 receives the power command as an example.However, a power-on command and a power-off command can be separatedfrom each other.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the powercommand in Step S1604, the video display device 3 goes to Step S1606,and confirms whether or not the video display device 3 has received thechannel setting command. In a case where the video display device 3 hasreceived the channel setting command, the video display device 3 goes toStep S1607 and executes the command as instructed.

Then, in Step S1608, the video display device 3 confirms whether or notthe identification information at the time of receipt of the channelsetting command is coincident with the identification information storedin the memory 305. When they are coincident, the video display device 3repeats the steps from Step S1604.

When they are not coincident, the video display device 3 stores theidentification information in the memory 305 (Step S1609) and repeatsthe steps from Step S1604. It is assumed here that the video displaydevice 3 has received the identification information of the terminaldevice 1 b.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the channelsetting command in Step S1606, the video display device 3 goes to StepS1610, and confirms whether or not the video display device 3 hasreceived the viewing reservation command. In a case where the videodisplay device 3 has received the viewing reservation command, the videodisplay device 3 makes a viewing reservation by storing informationincluding a time, a channel, and the like of the viewing reservation inthe memory 305 (Step S1611), further stores the identificationinformation of the terminal device 1 in the memory 305 (Step S1609), andrepeats the steps from Step S1604.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the viewingreservation command in Step S1610, the video display device 3 goes toStep S1612 and confirms whether or not the video display device 3 hasreceived another command. In a case where the video display device 3 hasreceived another command, the video display device 3 executes thecommand as instructed (Step S1613), and repeats the steps from StepS1604. The other command is the volume setting command, for example.

In a case where the video display device 3 has not received the othercommand, the video display device 3 repeats the steps from Step S1604.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a process of executing the viewingreservation by the video display device in the sixth embodiment of thepresent invention. This flowchart shows the execution process by thevideo display device 3 when the time of the viewing reservation set inthe terminal device 1 has come.

FIG. 18 shows a structure example of viewing reservation data stored inthe memory 305 of the video display device 3.

The viewing reservation data shows an example in which viewingreservations with reservation numbers 1, 2, 3, . . . , 5 have been madeby the terminal device in that order. For example, the reservationnumber 1 shows that a viewing reservation has been made for a program 1by the terminal device 1 a, the program 1 is broadcast on theterrestrial digital broadcasting channel 4, the start date and time isNov. 15, 2012, 18:00, and the end date and time is Nov. 15, 2012, 20:00.Further, the reservation number 2 shows that a viewing reservation hasbeen made for a program 2 by the terminal device 1 b, the program 2 isbroadcast on the terrestrial digital broadcasting channel 8, the startdate and time is Nov. 15, 2012, 18:30, and the end date and time is Nov.15, 2012, 19:00.

In Step S1701 of FIG. 17, the video display device 3 waits for the startdate and time of the viewing reservation, and goes to Step S1702 whenthe start date and time has come. It is assumed here that the start dateand time of the reservation number 1 has come.

In Step S1702, the video display device 3 switches the process inaccordance with whether or not the terminal device 1 a that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 1 is existent around thevideo display device 3.

Whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existent around the videodisplay device 3 can be confirmed based on whether or not the terminaldevice 1 a, 1 b is existent in the communication area of the wirelessrouter 6, for example. Further, more accurate confirmation can beperformed by direct communication with the video display device 3 byWi-Fi Direct.

In a case where the terminal device 1 a is existent around the videodisplay device 3 in Step S1702, the video display device 3 goes to StepS903, and displays the program 1 for which the viewing reservation hasbeen made on the video display device 3. When the video display device 3is displaying another program, the other program is switched to theprogram 1.

Then, it is confirmed in Step S1704 whether or not the end date and timeof the viewing reservation with the reservation number 1 has come. Whenthe end date and time of the viewing reservation has come, the videodisplay device 3 ends the process. When the end date and time of theviewing reservation has not come, the video display device 3 goes backto Step S1702 and continues the process. In this manner, the videodisplay device 3 continues to confirm whether or not the terminal device1 a is existent around it until the end date and time of the viewingreservation comes.

In a case where the terminal device 1 a is not existent around the videodisplay device 3 in Step S1702, the video display device 3 goes to StepS1705, and confirms whether or not the start date and time of the nextviewing reservation has come. The video display device 3 goes to StepS1704 when the start date and time of the next viewing reservation hasnot come, but goes to Step S1706 when it has come. It is assumed herethat the start date and time with the reservation number 2 has come.

Then, in Step S1706, the video display device 3 switches the process inaccordance with whether or not the terminal device 1 b that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 2 is existent around thevideo display device 3.

In a case where the terminal device 1 b is not existent around the videodisplay device 3, the video display device 3 goes to Step S1704. In acase where the terminal device 1 b is existent, the video display device3 goes to Step S1707, and displays the program 2 for which the viewingreservation has been made on the video display device 3. When the videodisplay device 3 is displaying another program, the other program isswitched to the program 2.

Then, it is confirmed in Step S1708 whether or not the end date and timeof the viewing reservation with the reservation number 2 has come. Whenthe end date and time of the viewing reservation has come, the videodisplay device 3 ends the process and goes to Step S1704. When the enddate and time has not come, the video display device 3 goes back to StepS1706 and continues the process. In this manner, the video displaydevice 3 continues to confirm whether or not the terminal device 1 b isexistent around it until the end date and time of the viewingreservation comes.

In this manner, at the start date and time of the viewing reservationwith the reservation number 1, for example, the program 1 is displayedon the video display device 3 as in the viewing reservation in a casewhere the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewing reservation isexistent around the video display device 3, but is not displayed in acase where the terminal device 1 a is not existent. Although the program1 is displayed until the end date and time of the viewing reservation,the display on the video display device 3 is switched to the program 2in a case where the terminal device 1 a disappears in the middle of theprogram 1 and, at the start date and time of the next viewingreservation, the terminal device 1 b that has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device 3. After theswitching to the program 2, the program 2 is not switched to the program1 even when the terminal device 1 a appears again. However, after theprogram 2 ends, the program 2 is switched to the program 1.

Although an example including two terminal devices is described, thesame operation can also be performed in a case of three or more terminaldevices.

In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, with the aboveconfiguration, the program for which the viewing reservation has beenmade is displayed on the video display device in a case where theterminal device that has made the viewing reservation is existent aroundthe video display device, but is not displayed in a case where theterminal device is not existent. When an overlap of viewing reservationsoccurs, the priority is given to one of the viewing reservations forwhich a program starts to be displayed first. However, when the terminaldevice that has made the viewing reservation for the program displayedfirst disappears around the video display device, that program isswitched to a program of the next viewing reservation. In this manner,the viewing reservation is executed only while the user who has madethat viewing reservation is existent around the video display device.Therefore, it is possible to prevent viewing by another user from beingdisturbed irrespective of the absence of the user who has made theviewing reservation.

Seventh Embodiment

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a process of executing a viewingreservation by the video display device in the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention.

Steps S1901 to S1908 are the same as Steps S1701 to S1708 in FIG. 17 andtherefore the description thereof is omitted.

A program 1 for which a viewing reservation has been made in the videodisplay device 3 is displayed in Step S1903, and thereafter the videodisplay device 3 goes to Step S1909, so that the video display device 3accepts a channel change from the terminal device 1 a that has made theviewing reservation only, but does not accept the channel change fromanother terminal device 1 (e.g., the terminal device 1 b).

Also, a program 2 of the next viewing reservation is displayed on thevideo display device 3 in Step S1907, and thereafter the video displaydevice 3 goes to Step S1910, so that the video display device 3 acceptsthe channel change from the terminal device 1 b that has made theviewing reservation only, but does not accept the channel change fromanother terminal device 1 (e.g., the terminal device 1 a).

In a case where the start date and time of the next viewing reservationhas not come in Step S1905, or in a case where the terminal device 1 bthat has made the viewing reservation with the reservation number 2 isnot existent around the video display device 3 in Step S1906 even if thestart data and time of the next viewing reservation has come, the videodisplay device 3 goes to Step S1911, so that the video display device 3accepts the channel change from all the terminal devices.

Further, when the end date and time of the viewing reservation with thereservation number 1 has come in Step S1904, the video display device 3then goes to Step S1912, so that the video display device 3 accepts thechannel change from all the terminal devices 1, and thereafter ends theprocess.

In this manner, when the start date and time of the viewing reservationwith the reservation number 1 has come, for example, the program 1 isdisplayed on the video display device 3 as in the viewing reservation ina case where the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device 3. The program 1is not displayed in a case where the terminal device 1 a is notexistent. In a case where the program 1 is displayed, the channel can bechanged from the terminal device 1 a only. However, when the terminaldevice 1 a disappears in the middle of the program 1, the channel changecan be performed from all the terminal devices 1 thereafter. Then, whenthe start date and time of the next viewing reservation has come, theprogram displayed on the video display device 3 is switched to theprogram 2 in a case where the terminal device 1 b that has made theviewing reservation is existent around the video display device 3. In acase where the program 2 is displayed, the channel can be changed fromthe terminal device 1 b only. After the program 1 or 2 is finished, thechannel change can be performed from all the terminal devices 1.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the sixthembodiment can be obtained in the seventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, during the process of executing the viewing reservation, thechannel can be changed only from the terminal device that has made theviewing reservation. Therefore, the user who has made the viewingreservation can freely change the channel, while it is possible toprevent the channel change by another user irrespective of the viewingreservation by that user irrespective that the user has made the viewingreservation.

Eighth Embodiment

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing by the terminal device 1 inthe eighth embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart showsprocessing when the terminal device 1 performs the remote control forthe video display device 3.

Steps S2001 to S2011 are the same as Steps S1501 to S1511 in FIG. 15 andtherefore the description thereof is omitted.

In Step S2006, the terminal device 1 confirms whether or not the channelsetting button of the remote control function has been pressed by theuser. In a case where the channel setting button, such as a “1” buttonor a “2” button, displayed on the terminal device 1 has been pressed,the terminal device 1 goes to Step S2012 and confirms whether or not theterminal device 1 is in an emergency disaster mode. In a case where theterminal device 1 is not in the emergency disaster mode, the terminaldevice 1 goes to Step S2007, transmits a command of setting thecorresponding channel and the identification information thereof to thevideo display device 3, and repeats the steps from Step S2003. Theemergency disaster mode is set when the terminal device 1 has receivedemergency disaster information, for example. The emergency disasterinformation may include an emergency earthquake alert, an emergencylightning alert, an emergency fire alert, an emergency tsunami alert, anemergency typhoon alert, an emergency heavy rain alert, an emergencyriver flood alert, an emergency eruption alert, and the like.

In a case of the emergency disaster mode, the terminal device 1 goes toStep S2013, transmits the command of setting the corresponding channeland an emergency code to the video display device 3, and repeats thesteps from Step S2003.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process of executing the viewingreservation by the video display device 3 in the eighth embodiment ofthe present invention.

Steps S2101 to S2108 are the same as Steps S1701 to S1708 in FIG. 17 andtherefore the description thereof is omitted.

Steps S2109 to S2112 are the same as Steps S1909 to S1912 in FIG. 18 andtherefore the description thereof is omitted.

A program 1 for which a viewing reservation has been made is displayedon the video display device 3 in Step S2103, and thereafter the videodisplay device 3 goes to Step S2113 and switches the process inaccordance with whether or not the emergency code has been transmittedfrom the terminal device. In a case where the emergency code has beentransmitted from the terminal device, the video display device 3 goes toStep S2111, so that in a case where a channel change occurs, the videodisplay device 3 accepts it from all the terminal devices.

In a case where the emergency code has not been transmitted from theterminal device, the video display device 3 goes to Step S2109, so thatin a case where the channel change occurs, the video display device 3accepts it only from the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewingreservation, but does not accept from another terminal device 1 (e.g.,the terminal device 1 b).

Further, a program 2 for which the next viewing reservation has beenmade is displayed on the video display device 3 in Step S2107, andthereafter the video display device 3 goes to Step S2114 and switchesthe process in accordance with whether or not the emergency code hasbeen transmitted from the terminal device. In a case where the emergencycode has been transmitted from the terminal device, the video displaydevice 3 goes to Step S2115, so that in a case where the channel changeoccurs, the video display device 3 accepts it from all the terminaldevices.

In a case where the emergency code has not been transmitted from theterminal device, the video display device 3 goes to Step S2110, so thatin a case where the channel change occurs, the video display device 3accepts it only from the terminal device 1 b that has made the viewingreservation, but does not accept from another terminal device 1 (e.g.,the terminal device 1 a).

In this manner, when the start date and time of the viewing reservationwith the reservation number 1 has come, for example, the program 1 isdisplayed on the video display device 3 as in the viewing reservation ina case where the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device 3, but is notdisplayed in a case where the terminal device 1 a is not existent. In acase where the program 1 is displayed, the channel change can beperformed from the terminal device 1 a only. However, in a case wherethe emergency code has been transmitted from the terminal device 1, thechannel can be changed from all the terminal devices. Alternatively, ina case where the terminal device 1 b that has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device 3 and displaysthe program 2, the channel can be changed from the terminal device 1 bonly. However, in a case where the emergency code has been transmittedfrom the terminal device 1, the channel can be changed from all theterminal devices.

Although an example in which the video display device 3 receives theemergency code from the mobile terminal 1 is described, the videodisplay device 3 may receive the emergency disaster information.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the seventhembodiment can be obtained in the eighth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, although the channel can be changed only from the terminaldevice that has made the viewing reservation during the process ofexecuting the viewing reservation, the channel change can be performedfrom all the terminal devices in emergency situations.

Ninth Embodiment

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process of executing a viewingreservation by the video display device in the ninth embodiment of thepresent invention.

Steps S2201 to S2208 are the same as Steps S1701 to S1708 in FIG. 17 andtherefore the description thereof is omitted.

In a case where the start date and time of the reservation number 1 hascome in Step S2201 and the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewingreservation with the reservation number 1 is not existent around thevideo display device 3 in Step S2202, the video display device 3confirms in Step S2205 whether or not the start date and time of thenext viewing reservation has come. In a case where the start date andtime of the next viewing reservation has not come, the video displaydevice 3 goes to Step S2215 and makes the currently viewing user selectwhether to perform switching to the program 1 for which the viewingreservation has been made. For example, a question is displayed on thedisplay 302 of the video display device 3, and an answer from theterminal device 1 is accepted. Alternatively, the question may bedisplayed on the display 202 of the terminal device 1 around the videodisplay device 3. Alternatively, the question may be displayed on thedisplay 202 of the terminal device 1 that has turned on the videodisplay device 3 or has switched the channel of the video display device3. In a case where the user has selected to perform the switching, thevideo display device 3 goes to Step S2203 and displays the program 1 forwhich the viewing reservation has been made on the video display device3. In a case where the switching has not been selected, the videodisplay device 3 goes to Step S2204.

In a case where the start date and time of the next viewing reservationhas come in Step S2205 and the terminal device 1 b that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 2 is not existent aroundthe video display device 3 in Step S2206, the video display device 3goes to Step S2216, and makes the currently viewing user to selectwhether to perform switching to the program 2 for which the viewingreservation has been made. In a case where the user has selected toperform the switching, the video display device 3 goes to Step S2207,and displays the program 1 for which the viewing reservation has beenmade on the video display device 3. In a case where the switching hasnot been selected, the video display device 3 goes to Step S2204.

In a case where no answer has been received to the question whether toperform the switching to the program for which the viewing reservationhas been made within a certain period of time, the switching of theprogram is not performed. After the switching to the program 1 or 2 forwhich the viewing reservation has been made in Step S2215 or S2216, noquestion is issued to the user.

In this manner, when the start date and time of the viewing reservationwith the reservation number 1 has come, for example, the program 1 isdisplayed on the video display device 3 as in the viewing reservation,in a case where the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device 3. In a casewhere the terminal device 1 a is not existent, the currently viewinguser can select whether or not to perform switching to the program 1.Similarly, when the start date and time of the viewing reservation withthe reservation number 2 has come, the program 2 is displayed on thevideo display device 3 as in the viewing reservation, in a case wherethe terminal device 1 b that has been made the viewing reservation isexistent around the video display device 3. In a case where the terminaldevice 1 b is not existent, the currently viewing user can selectwhether to perform switching to the program 2.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the sixthembodiment can be obtained in the ninth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, even when the terminal device that has made the viewingreservation is not existent around the video display device, the viewingreservation can be executed if the currently viewing user selects. Inthis manner, even if the user who has made the reservation is absent,another user can view the program for which the viewing reservation hasbeen made if the other user would like to do so.

Tenth Embodiment

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a process of executing a viewingreservation by the video display device in the tenth embodiment of thepresent invention.

Steps S2301 to S2308 are the same as Steps S1701 to S1708 in FIG. 17 andtherefore the description thereof is omitted.

In a case where the start date and time of the reservation number 1 hascome in Step S2301 and the terminal device 1 a that has made the viewingreservation with the reservation number 1 is existent around the videodisplay device 3 in Step S2302, the video display device 3 goes to StepS2317 and asks the user of the terminal device 1 a a question whether toperform switching to the program 1 for which the viewing reservation hasbeen made. The question is displayed on the display 302 of the videodisplay device 3, and only an answer from the terminal device 1 a isaccepted. Alternatively, the question may be displayed on the display202 of the terminal device 1 a. In a case where the user of the terminaldevice 1 a has selected the switching, the video display device 3 goesto Step S2303, and displays the program 1 of the viewing reservation onthe video display device 3. In a case where the switching has not beenselected, the video display device 3 goes to Step S2304.

In a case where the start date and time of the next viewing reservationhas come in Step S2305 and the terminal device 1 b that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 2 is existent around thevideo display device 3 in Step S2306, the video display device 3 goes toStep S2318, and makes the user of the terminal device 1 b select whetheror not to perform switching to the program 2 for which the viewingreservation has been made. For example, a question is displayed on thedisplay 302 of the video display device 3, and only an answer from theterminal device 1 b is accepted. Alternatively, the question may bedisplayed on the display 202 of the terminal device 1 a. In a case wherethe user of the terminal device 1 b has selected the switching, thevideo display device 3 goes to Step S2307, and displays the program 2for which the viewing reservation has been made on the video displaydevice 3. In a case where the switching has not been selected, the videodisplay device 3 goes to Step S2304.

In a case where no answer has been received within a certain period oftime to the question whether or not to perform the switching to theprogram for which the viewing reservation has been made, the switchingto the program is performed. After the switching to the program 1 or 2for which the viewing reservation has been made, no question is issuedto the user even when the video display device 3 goes to Step S2317 orS12318 again.

In this manner, in a case where, at the start date and time of theviewing reservation with the reservation number 1, for example, theterminal device 1 a that has made the viewing reservation is existent inthe video display device 3, only the user of the terminal device 1 a canselect whether or not to perform switching to the program 1. Similarly,when the terminal device 1 b that has made the viewing reservation withthe reservation number 2 is existent around the video display device 3at the start date and time of that viewing reservation, only the user ofthe terminal device 1 b can select whether to perform switching to theprogram 2.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the sixthembodiment can be obtained in the tenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, it is possible for the terminal device that has made theviewing reservation to select and view one of the program that iscurrently being viewed and the program of the viewing reservation.

Eleventh Embodiment

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a video displaydevice 240.

A control unit 250, a signal receiver 241, a display 242, an audiooutput unit 243, an infrared communication unit 244, a memory 245, and aLAN communication unit 246 are equivalent to the control unit 300, thesignal receiver 301, the display 302, the audio output unit 303, theinfrared communication unit 304, the memory 305, and the LANcommunication unit 306 of the video display device 3 of FIG. 3,respectively, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

A video input unit 247 is a camera, and converts light input from a lensinto an electric signal, thereby inputting image data of surroundings oran object thereto. An audio input unit 248 is a microphone, and convertsa user's voice or the like into audio data and input it thereto. Ashort-range wireless communication unit 249 performs short-rangewireless communication by Bluetooth, for example, to input/outputvarious types of data. A GPS receiver 251 is a component that canreceive electric waves from a satellite to detect the position of thevideo display device 240 on the Earth.

Note that the short-range wireless communication unit 249 includes acoding circuit, a decoding circuit, an antenna, and the like, and theGPS receiver 251 includes a decoding circuit, an antenna, and the like.

As in the sixth embodiment, when the terminal device 1 a that has madethe viewing reservation with the reservation number 1 is existent aroundthe video display device 240 at the start date and time of the viewingreservation, for example, the program 1 is displayed on the videodisplay device 240 as in the viewing reservation. When the terminaldevice 1 a is not existent, the program 1 is not displayed. The program1 is displayed until the end date and time of the viewing reservation.However, when the terminal device 1 a disappears in the middle of theprogram 1 and, at the start date and time of the next viewingreservation, the terminal device 1 b that has made the viewingreservation is existent around the video display device 240, the displayon the video display device 240 is switched to the program 2. After theswitching to the program 2, the program 2 is not switched to the program1 even when the terminal device 1 a appears again. However, after theprogram 2 ends, the program 2 is switched to the program 1.

Whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existent around the videodisplay device 240 can be confirmed based on whether or not the terminaldevice 1 a, 1 b is existent in a communication area of a LAN such asWi-Fi, for example.

Alternatively, this confirmation can be achieved by detecting theposition of each of the terminal devices 1 a and 1 b and the videodisplay device 240 by means of the GPS receiver 210 of the terminaldevice 1 a, 1 b and the GPS receiver 251 of the video display device240. While transmission of GPS information from the terminal device 1 a,1 b to the video display device 240 is set to be permitted in advance,the video display device 240 compares the GPS information transmittedfrom the terminal device 1 a, 1 b with the GPS information thereof todetermine whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existent aroundit.

Alternatively, the above confirmation can be achieved by the short-rangewireless communication unit 29 of the terminal device 1 a, 1 b and theshort-range wireless communication unit 249 of the video display device240. It is determined whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b isexistent around the video display device 240, based on whether or notthe terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existent in a short-range wirelesscommunication range of the video display device 240.

Alternatively, the above confirmation can be achieved by face detectionusing the video input unit 247 of the terminal device 1 a, 1 b. The faceof the user of the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is captured by the videoinput unit 247 of the video display device 240 in advance and is storedin the memory 245 in association with the terminal device 1 a, 1 b.Then, the video display device 240 captures an image around it at thedate and time of the viewing reservation to perform face detection, anddetermines whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existentaround it, based on whether detected face information is coincident withthe face information stored in the memory 245.

Especially, the confirmation using the face detection can allow accuratedetermination whether or not the user is viewing the video displaydevice. Therefore, it is also possible to perform accurate determinationeven in a case where the user is in another room and forgets the viewingreservation.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the sixthembodiment can be obtained in the eleventh embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not theterminal device is existent around the video display device by using LANcommunication, GPS communication, short-range wireless communication,face detection, or the like, or a combination thereof.

Twelfth Embodiment

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a process of executing a viewingreservation by the video display device in the twelfth embodiment of thepresent invention. This flowchart shows the execution process by thevideo display device 240 when a time of a viewing reservation set in theterminal device 1 has come.

FIG. 26 shows a structure example of viewing reservation data stored inthe memory 305 of the video display device 240.

This viewing reservation data shows an example in which viewingreservations with reservation numbers 1, 2, 3, . . . , 5 have been madeby the terminal device in that order. For example, the reservationnumber 3 shows that a viewing reservation has been made for a program 1by a plurality of terminal devices 1 a and 1 b, the program 3 is to bebroadcast on the terrestrial digital broadcasting channel 1, the startdate and time is Nov. 15, 2012, 21:00, and the end date and time is Nov.15, 2012, 22:00.

In Step S2501 of FIG. 25, the video display device 240 waits for thestart date and time of the viewing reservation, and goes to Step S2512when the start date and time has come. It is assumed here that the startdate and time of the reservation number 3 has come.

In Step S2512, the video display device 240 switches the process inaccordance with whether or not at least one of the terminal devices 1 aand 1 b that have made the viewing reservation with the reservationnumber 3 is existent around the video display device 240. In a casewhere at least one of the terminal devices 1 a and 1 b is existentaround the video display device 240, the video display device 240 goesto Step S2503 and displays the program 3 of the viewing reservation onthe video display device 240. When the video display device 240 isdisplaying another program, the other program is switched to the program3.

Then, in Step S2515, the video display device 240 switches the processin accordance with whether or not both the terminal devices 1 a and 1 bthat have made the viewing reservation with the reservation number 3 areexistent around the video display device 240. In a case where both theterminal devices 1 a and 1 b are existent, the video display device 240goes to Step S2504 and confirms whether or not the end date and time ofthe viewing reservation with the reservation number 3 has come. When theend date and time of the viewing reservation has come, the video displaydevice 240 ends the process. When the end date and time of the viewingreservation has not come, the video display device 240 goes back to StepS2512 and continues the process. In this manner, the video displaydevice 240 continues to confirm whether or not the terminal device 1 a,1 b is existent around it until the end date and time of the viewingreservation comes.

In a case where neither of the terminal devices 1 a and 1 b is existentin Step S2512, the video display device 240 goes to Step S2516 andrecords the reserved program 3.

Further, in a case where only one of the terminal devices 1 a and 1 b isexistent in Step S2515, the video display device 240 also goes to StepS2516 and records the reserved program 1.

In this manner, when at least one of the terminal devices 1 a and 1 bthat have made the viewing reservation is existent around the videodisplay device 240 at the start date and time of the viewing reservationwith the reservation number 3, for example, the program 3 is displayedon the video display device 240 as in the viewing reservation. In a casewhere at least one of the terminal devices 1 a and 1 b is not existent,the program 3 is recorded.

Whether or not the terminal device 1 a, 1 b is existent around the videodisplay device 240 can be confirmed by LAN communication, GPScommunication, short-range wireless communication, face detection, orthe like.

Although an example including two terminal devices is described, thesame operation can also be performed in a case of three or more terminaldevices.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the sixthembodiment can be obtained in the twelfth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, in a case where the same reserved program is set by a pluralityof terminal devices, the reserved program is displayed when at least oneof the terminal devices is existent around the video display device, andis recorded when at least one of the terminal devices is not existent.Therefore, the user of the terminal device that has made the reservationcan surely view the program.

Thirteenth Embodiment

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a process of executing a viewingreservation by the video display device in the thirteenth embodiment ofthe present invention. This flowchart shows the execution process by thevideo display device 240 when the time of the viewing reservation set inthe terminal device 1 has come.

The video display device 240 waits for the start date and time of theviewing reservation in Step S2701, and goes to Step S1702 when the startdate and time has come. It is assumed here that the start date and timeof the reservation number 1 has come.

In Step S2702, the video display device 240 switches the process inaccordance with whether or not the terminal device 1 a that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 1 is existent around thevideo display device 240. In a case where the terminal device 1 a isexistent around the video display device 240, the video display device240 goes to Step S2712 and confirms whether or not the user of theterminal device 1 a is viewing the video display device 240. Whether ornot the terminal device 1 a is existent around the video display device240 is confirmed by LAN communication, GPS communication, short-rangewireless communication, or the like, while it is confirmed by facedetection whether or not the user of the terminal device 1 a is viewingthe video display device 240.

In a case where the user of the terminal device 1 a that has made theviewing reservation with the reservation number 1 is viewing the videodisplay device 240 in Step S2712, the video display device 240 goes toStep S2703 and displays the program 1 of the viewing reservation on thevideo display device 240. When the video display device 240 isdisplaying another program, the other program is switched to the program1. In a case where the user of the terminal device 1 a is not viewingthe video display device 240, the video display device 240 goes to StepS2713 to notify the terminal device 1 a that the start time of theprogram of the viewing reservation has come.

Then, the video display device 240 confirms in Step S2704 whether or notthe end date and time of the viewing reservation with the reservationnumber 1 has come. When the end date and time of the viewing reservationhas come, the video display device 240 ends the process. When the enddate and time of the viewing reservation has not come, the video displaydevice 240 goes back to Step S2702 and continues the process. In thismanner, the video display device 14 continues to confirm whether or notthe terminal device 1 a is existent around it until the end date andtime of the viewing reservation comes.

In this manner, in a case where, at the start date and time of theviewing reservation with the reservation number 1, the terminal device 1a that has made that viewing reservation is existent around the videodisplay device 240 and the user of the terminal device 1 a is viewingthe video display device 240, the program 1 is displayed on the videodisplay device 240 as in the viewing reservation. In a case where thatuser is not viewing, the video display device 240 notifies the terminaldevice 1 a that the start time of the program of the viewing reservationhas come.

With the above configuration, the same effects as those in the sixthembodiment can be obtained in the thirteenth embodiment of the presentinvention.

Further, in a case where, at the start date and time of the viewingreservation, the user of the terminal device that has made that viewingreservation is not viewing the video display device although the user isexistent around the video display device, that terminal device isnotified that the start time of the program of the viewing reservationhas come. Therefore, the user of that terminal device can surely viewthe program.

The aforementioned embodiments are described in detail for intelligibledescription of the present invention, but are not intended to limit thepresent invention to include all the described components. Further, theconfiguration of an embodiment can be partly replaced with theconfiguration of another embodiment. Also, the configuration of anembodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment.Furthermore, for a portion of the configuration of each embodiment, anaddition of another configuration and a replacement with anotherconfiguration can be performed. Also, a portion of the configuration ofeach embodiment can be deleted.

In addition, each of the aforementioned configurations, functions,processing units, processing means, and the like can be partly orentirely implemented by hardware by being designed by an integratedcircuit, for example. Further, each of the aforementionedconfigurations, functions, and the like can be implemented by softwareby interpretation and execution of a program that achieves each functionby a processor. Information such as the program achieving each function,a table, and a file can be stored in a storage device, e.g., a memory, ahard disk, and an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a storage medium, e.g., anIC card and an SD card.

Control lines and information lines that can be necessary fordescription are shown, but all control lines and all information linesin a product are not necessarily shown. It can be considered that almostall components are mutually connected actually.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1 . . . terminal device, 2 . . . remote controller, 3 . . . videodisplay device, 5 . . . broadcast station, 6 . . . wireless router, 7 .. . network, 200 . . . control unit, 201 . . . signal receiver, 202 . .. display, 203 . . . audio output unit, 204 . . . operation unit, 205 .. . memory, 206 . . . LAN communication unit, 207 . . . video inputunit, 208 . . . audio input unit, 209 . . . short-range wirelesscommunication unit, 210 . . . GPS receiver, 300 . . . control unit, 301. . . signal receiver, 302 . . . display, 303 . . . audio output unit,304 . . . infrared communication unit, 305 . . . memory, 306 . . . LANcommunication unit

1. A mobile terminal comprising: a position information acquisition unitconfigured to acquire a position information of a current position ofthe mobile terminal; a memory configured to store a position informationof a destination and a start date and time of a scheduled event, thedestination being a place of the event scheduled by a user of the mobileterminal; an information providing unit configured to provideinformation to the user; and a control unit, wherein the control unitsearches a traveling route to the destination from the current position,calculates a traveling time, calculates a time of departure from thecurrent position from the start date and time of the scheduled event anda required time of traveling, and causes the information providing unitto notify the user when the time of departure has come.
 2. The mobileterminal according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes theinformation providing unit to notify the user again in a case where theposition information of the current position has not changed within apredetermined period of time after the information providing unit hasnotified the user.
 3. A mobile terminal comprising: a positioninformation acquisition unit configured to acquire a positioninformation of a current position of the mobile terminal; a memoryconfigured to store a position information of a destination, a startdate and time of a scheduled event, and a notification process switchinformation, the destination being a place of the event scheduled by auser of the mobile terminal; an information providing unit configured toprovide information to the user; and a control unit, wherein the controlunit searches a traveling route to the destination from the currentposition, calculates a traveling time, calculates a time of departurefrom the current position from the start date and time of the scheduledevent and a required time of traveling, switches between a notificationto the user by the information providing unit at the time of departureand a notification to the user by the information providing unit at atime fixed by a predetermined period of time before the time ofdeparture in accordance with the notification process switchinformation.